WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – Lawmakers on Capitol Hill say internet access is as important as water and electricity.
“What the ACP is really doing is providing meaningful relief to what has become a basic public utility for every business, every farmer, and every family across the country,” said Congressman Mark Molinaro. (RN.Y.) said.
ACP (Affordable Connectivity Program) will reduce your internet bill by $30 per month. But Molinaro warns that funding will run out by late May.
“With that funding gone, millions of people will no longer have access to the internet and will not be able to afford access to the internet,” Molinaro said.
He introduced legislation to expand funding for the program. Rep. Joe Courtney (D-Conn.) supports the bill and says it won’t just benefit low-income Americans.
“There are a lot of workers and military members who are going to be affected by this,” Courtney said.
The FCC estimates that nearly 50% of ACP participants come from military families.
“Especially at the enlisted level,” Courtney said.
Both Courtney and Molinaro fear that if the funds run out, more than 75% of participants could deal with disruption or lose access to the internet all together.
“This is something we don’t want to happen,” Molinaro said.
“We know for a fact that if that happens, a lot of people won’t be able to access the internet, and that’s a bad thing,” Courtney said.
The FCC directed internet service providers to notify households that the program may be terminated. But both lawmakers agree that Congress will not allow that.
